Chapter 20 - Linda’s Prison Call
Linda called Evelyn from prison.
Evelyn declined twice.
On the third request, a victim coordinator said Linda claimed to have information about Susan’s death.
Evelyn accepted a monitored call.
Linda appeared on the screen in prison clothing.
Her hair had turned almost entirely gray.
“You look pleased,” Linda said.
“I’m listening.”
Linda claimed Susan had discovered Thomas’s early misuse of company funds before her death.
She planned to remove him as chief executive.
Then she died during a boating accident.
Evelyn’s chest tightened.
“Are you saying her death wasn’t accidental?”
Linda smiled faintly.
“I’m saying your father never told you everything.”
“Did you know Susan?”
“Before Thomas admitted it.”
Linda wanted something.
A sentence reduction.
A public statement saying the chair attack was impulsive.
Evelyn refused.
“Then you’ll never know.”
Evelyn leaned toward the screen.
“You have spent your life believing information makes people belong to you.”
Linda’s smile faded.
“If there is evidence, investigators will find it.”
“They didn’t before.”
“They weren’t looking.”
After the call, Evelyn informed prosecutors.
A cold-case unit reviewed Susan’s death.
The boat’s maintenance records showed no sabotage.
Witnesses confirmed a sudden storm.
Thomas had lied about financial conflict but not the accident.
Linda possessed no murder evidence.
She had used Evelyn’s deepest grief as leverage.
The discovery still revealed another betrayal.
Susan had planned to remove Thomas from the company.
He concealed that after her death and presented himself as her chosen successor.
Evelyn visited Thomas.
“Did Mom trust you when she died?”
He closed his eyes.
“No.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because you already lost her.”
“You decided another lie would protect me?”
“Yes.”
Evelyn stood.
“That answer has ruined every relationship you had.”
Thomas did not argue.
Linda’s final attempt at control failed.
May you like
There was no hidden murder.
Only another truth Thomas had denied Evelyn the right to know.
